Bo’s Coffee, a brand known for its promotion of Filipino coffee, has opened its first tribute store in its hometown in Cebu. A tribute store, according to founder Steve Benitez,…

Bo’s Coffee, a brand known for its promotion of Filipino coffee, has opened its first tribute store in its hometown in Cebu.

A tribute store, according to founder Steve Benitez, is a flagship branch that offers people a new coffee experience. He said the concept took 3 years to plan and was meant to “showcase the best of what we offer.”

The company picked Bo’s Coffee Capitol branch – the first Bo’s outlet, explained Benitez – for its first tribute store because it is “about paying tribute to our roots here in Cebu.”

SHOWCASE THE BEST. Bo’s Coffee founder Steve Benitez discusses the concept behind the tribute store during opening of the first such branch – Bo’s Coffee Capitol.

Bo’s Coffee expansion

Benitez founded Bo’s Coffee in 1996 and has since expanded throughout the country. It recently expanded overseas by opening 5 stores in Qatar. Bo’s plans to have 200 stores and be present in 5 countries by 2020.

Central to the tribute store concept is the coffee bar. Specially trained baristas are able to prepare coffee using Philippine beans in various ways – from cold drip to pour over.

COLD DRIP COFFEE. Potent brew that takes about 8 hours to prepare. This one you drink on ice.

“The tribute store is where you can experience the best coffee in the Philippines,” he said.

It serves coffee made from coffee beans handpicked in Sagada, Benguet; Mount Kitanglad in Bukidnon; Mount Matutum in South Cotabato; and Mount Apo.

PURPLE MIDNIGHT. Tasty iced tea with wild hibiscus and blue ternate. This you must try.

Bo’s coffee bar

“Our version of a perfect blend is not only the sensuous taste and aroma of Philippine coffee but also the overall presentation of Philippine culture – its indigenous and nearly forgotten products, Filipino music and artistry, and even Philippine-grown tea,” Benitez said in a press statement.

Apart from just preparing your drink, the baristas at the tribute store’s bar can interact with customers and talk coffee with them.

Benitez said they are trying out the concept here with the plan of replicating it in other areas such as Manila.

COFFEE BAR. At the bar, you can order coffee made from Philippine beans and prepared various ways by specially trained baristas.

“We will continue to work on giving the best customer experience,” Benitez said.

The store also highlights products by social enterprises they partnered with. The interiors highlight the work of local artisans such as renowned designer Kenneth Cobonpue.

BEST OF THE PHILIPPINES. Steve Benitez says the tribute store is the company’s way to “showcase the best of Philippine artistry and talent.”

“We want to showcase the best of Philippine artistry and talent in the most ambitious project we ever had. The tribute store will be the commemoration and statement of the brand’s promise that this homegrown brand will continue to pave empowerment to the communities we serve,” Benitez added.

Bo’s Capitol has 300 square meters of space and can seat up to 110 persons. It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m.